In a decisive move to enforce civil rights protections, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a civil rights compliance review into four medical schools over alleged antisemitic conduct at their 2024 commencement ceremonies. The investigations, led by the federal Antisemitism Task Force, come in response to President Donald Trump’s January 29 executive order, which prioritizes combating antisemitism in academic institutions.
The task force, created in collaboration with the Justice Department, is investigating whether these institutions failed to uphold their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Affordable Care Act, both of which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
Why These Schools Are Being Reviewed
HHS’s Office for Civil Rights is assessing multiple reports of antisemitic incidents during medical school graduation ceremonies, including:
- Displays of offensive symbols and messages
- Alleged expressions of support for terrorist organizations
- A lack of institutional response to antisemitic behavior, potentially violating federal anti-discrimination laws
“Every student deserves access to education free from discrimination and harassment,” said HHS Office for Civil Rights Acting Director Anthony Archeval. “These compliance reviews reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that federally funded institutions provide safe and inclusive learning environments for all students.”
According to HHS, at least one of the schools under review received over $300 million in federal funding in 2024, making their compliance with civil rights laws even more critical.
The Broader Federal Crackdown on Campus Antisemitism
The Antisemitism Task Force is conducting multiple investigations into universities that have allegedly failed to protect Jewish students. The Department of Education has also launched its own civil rights investigations into five institutions:
- Columbia University
- Northwestern University
- Portland State University
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
These universities are being scrutinized for failing to prevent harassment, threats, and discrimination against Jewish students in the wake of the October 7 Hamas massacre and the subsequent wave of campus protests.
Antisemitism Task Force’s Mission: Accountability and Action
The newly established Antisemitism Task Force, which includes the Justice Department, the Department of Education, and HHS, aims to hold institutions accountable for fostering hostile environments for Jewish students.
“Antisemitism in any form is a direct attack on this nation’s values,” said Task Force head and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Senior Counsel Leo Terrell. “The Justice Department will not tolerate hatred in our schools. This is just the beginning of President Trump’s renewed commitment to eradicating antisemitism from American campuses.”
Trump’s Executive Order: A New Era in Fighting Antisemitism
President Trump’s January 29 executive order calls for immediate and decisive action to counter the growing wave of antisemitism in the U.S., with a specific focus on academia. It recognizes that Jewish students have faced “an unrelenting barrage of discrimination, exclusion from campus spaces, and even physical threats.”
The order requires all relevant government agencies to develop a concrete plan within two months to combat antisemitism, with an emphasis on addressing post-October 7 campus discrimination and ensuring universities that receive federal funding are held accountable.
The Antidefamation League (ADL) welcomed the HHS review, stating that federal enforcement of civil rights laws is a critical step toward ensuring Jewish students are safe and protected in academic institutions.
With antisemitism at record levels, these investigations represent a turning point in how the U.S. government enforces civil rights protections and holds universities accountable for failing to protect Jewish students.